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The Channel remains strong despite the economic challenges if the response to the Spring 2009 Channel Partners Conference & Expo is any indication. The event exceeded expectations with many conference-goers claiming it to be the best to date.
While the downturn didn’t put a damper on the show, ironically it drove some of the success as more vendors are seeking an economical distribution channel and more partners are looking for revenue-generating opportunities and business-building strategies.
Along these lines, the conference program was focused heavily on key channel issues, from recognizing the most channel-friendly executives to debating ethical behavior among vendors and their indirect sales partners.
Of particular note was the Agent Roundtable featuring practicing partners talking about their successes and failures pre- and post-recession. Their insights into product, promotion, pricing, selling and growth provided attendees with several items to add to their to-do lists.
This discussion was followed up by a first-ever Peer-to-Peer Networking Mixer where about 100 independent agents and subagents gathered to discuss their shared concerns about suppliers, revenue retention, hiring, sales and marketing, and more. The early reviews on this forum were positive and a bigger and better effort is planned for fall 2009.
Another highlight on the agenda was the YOU Track, which included sessions that were suggested and voted on by past conference delegates. This track included five hours of the Most Valuable Programming as determined by the channel. Attendance was high at each of these tutorials on SIP, VoIP, UC, contracts and sales.
Of course the expo hall is where a trade show is really tested. The buzz was upbeat and the traffic was steady for the more than 120 exhibitors. What they lacked in booth size was made up for in attention-getting promos and swag. TelePacific’s Red Carpet made for a grand entrance to the hall. And, AT&T’s Make a Bundle game show and Time Warner Cable’s Nothing But Net basketball game added to the excitement. And if you didn’t see Bandcon’s giveaway, you missed out. For the first time, attendees also were able to attend detailed presentations from TMC, Contingent Networks and Dell without having to leave the show floor. Attendees were not wanting for opportunities for drawings. Dozens of gadgets (iPods, GPS devices, etc.) and cash were raffled off by exhibitors. |
